Mónica, the mother of Argentine footballer Rodrigo De Paul, has revealed the childhood origins of her son's pre-match candy ritual.
The revelation provides insight into the psychological and emotional anchors players use to manage pressure during high-stakes international competition. For De Paul, the habit is not merely a superstition but a connection to family history.
Speaking from the U.S., Mónica said that the practice of eating candy before games is a "cabala" — a ritual or charm — that dates back to Rodrigo's childhood [1], [2]. The tradition originated from a gesture involving the player's grandfather, which De Paul has maintained throughout his professional career [3].
This specific ritual is not performed by De Paul alone. Teammate Leandro Paredes also participates in the candy-eating habit before Argentina national-team matches [1], [2]. The shared practice serves as a bonding mechanism between the two players as they prepare for competition.
Details of the tradition surfaced in interviews published in late June. Infobae reported the story on June 25, 2026 [3], while La Nación published its account on June 26, 2026 [2]. Mónica said how the gesture from the grandfather remained a lasting memory for the athlete, evolving into a sentimental routine that continues today.
The timing of these interviews coincides with the period of intense focus on the Argentine squad's mental preparation. By sharing the story, Mónica highlighted the emotional weight that family legacies carry into the professional sporting arena, a dynamic often invisible to fans watching from the stands.
“The tradition originated from a gesture involving the player's grandfather.”
The public disclosure of this ritual underscores the role of 'cabalas' in Latin American football culture, where players often rely on sentimental or spiritual anchors to maintain composure. By linking a professional routine to a childhood memory of a grandfather, De Paul demonstrates how personal identity and family heritage are integrated into the high-pressure environment of the national team.
